Junction-box for electrical conduits.



. Max:337.

IPATENTED MAR. 1?, 1908.

A. MoMURTRIB.

' JBNGT-IOH BOX FOB. ELECTRICAL comnurrs. I IIILIOATIOI FILED AUG. 29,1901.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADNAH McMURTRIE', OF NEWYORKJQ. Y., ASBIGNOR TO THOMAS AN D BETTE, 0FNEiV YORK,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

macros-so: son uncommon. oo nnm'rs.

Ho. senses.

Patented. March 17, 190B.

To all whom it may concern. Be it known that I, Arman Mcltlun'rmn of NewYork, N. Y. have invented certain mrovernents in Junction-Boxes forElectrical cndmts, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like otters on thedrawings designating: like parts.

This invention re ates tosystems for the distribution of electricityanmore particularly to conduits for wires, my invention having for itsobject the reduction of an in1- proved unct on or out at box or likedevice of special utility for interior work, although I win itunderstood that I contemplate its utilization in any field for which itmay be applicable by reason of the nature of my improvements. Such boxesor devices are usually embedded in the walls of a buildin and tofacilitate access, have a mouth flue with the surface of the plaster,which is applied after they are in place, and as theboxes are usuallymade of cast or pressed metal the lip around the mouth is usuallyinclined inward, to iacihtnte the withdrawal of the box part earryhui-itwhen the box part is to be taken from t is mold or die. A; thisinclination offers no means to retain the plaster adjacent the lip whenthe bo x is m place, but rather by its very nature facilitates strippingawav of the plaster much trouble is experienced tom the deterioration ofthe wal surface adjacent the mouth of boxes, and this is enhanced by thedifficulty of arranging the box part carrying the moutlrso that a pro ordepth of plaster can be applied over it. Jl'ten such boxes, espfcmllwhen used as switch boxes. are set as aw, t irou 'h the d llllcult foundin leveling the base of t to box and in ending the conduit so as toenter the box properly.

Amen the important features oi my mvontion la her-clone will be found anad ustable throat, serving as a templot or curb for the plaster,preferably having a hp of )lastor-reaining construction, and adg'usta into onablo exact determination o the depth of Plaster, and regulation ofthe position of the lp so that it :1 mil be flush with the generalsurface of the wall, and at tho r1ghtapgle.

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and describedl'ullv in the accompanylntg drawln s and spcclllcatlon and pointed ou inthe c aim. 5 In the drawings-Figure 1 illustrates in 'around the aerturo 3, the shape of which plan view a auction or outlet box in theconstruction 0 which my invention has been embodied. Figs. 2 is a viewin vertical section of the same; Fig. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs.1 and 2, but show a box especial}? adapted to receive switches and Fig.5 ustrates amodiiled form of member.

In the embodiment of m invention selected for illustration andescript-ion as a convenient form to enable a ready and accurateundsrstandiu of my improvements, the reference numeral! designates thetop or cover member of what is usually known as a junction" or "outlotbox, which term I do not use in this description in a'rcstrictivo sensebut merely as a convenient designation for conduit members filling analoous functions to that of the junction box so-called.

The box and cover may be of any suitable material, shape and size, a.common material being cast non, of square shape, as indicated, and whenthe cover is flat, as illustrated, a rim 2 may be provided as usual, ifdesired,

aperture may 0 of circular or pl ior contour. in accordance with myinvention, 1 )lOVlllG this aperture with an extension three 4 with a lipof plaster retaining construction 5, the throat member in the instanceillustrated taking the form of a cylindrical ring, telescoping withinthe rim 2, while the plaster retaining construction is secured by anexternal head. The surface of the cover member may also be roughened orprovided with projection; 11, or do ressions 12, to aid in he retentionof the p aster.

To retain the throat member in adjusted ositio-n I have shown the setscrews 6, Figs.

throat and 2, and 16, Fig. 4, passing through the base of the rim, tobear against the throat "member, but it will be understood that I reardthese as merely one convpnient form of astemng means, and do not lumtmyself to such a specific form, nor do I limit myself to. we

a cylindrical throat-member, nor to a headlike lip, nor in generalotherwise than as set forth in the claims, taken in connection withthese specifications. It will be understood further that my improvementsmay be emm5 bodlcd in any desired and suitable form of box and notnecessarily in a cover member irovlded as illustrated with removablemaskn i portions 7 extending bolero apertures 8 in he walls 0 of a boxbase-member i0.

It will be observed that the throat member is shown as fitting looselwith respect to the cover aperture, and whi e a more snugly fittingthroat member may be used as occasion may demand, preferably provisionwill be made for what amounts to a universal adjustment of the throatmember within the apprture, a feature which is especlally useful w en myimprovements are applied to boxes for switches, as shown in Figs. 3 and4, for even though the box be askew, and not level, the throat member mabe set therein as at 13 in the box 14 in sai fi ures, so as to presentits mouth level and ush with the general surface of the plaster and theswitch 15 in proper angular relation to the vertical.

The throat member may be ribbed, spirally or otherwise, as indicated inFi 5 at 17, the ribs aiding to maintain the member in adjus'ted ositioneither by contact with the walls of the cover aperture, or incooperation with set screws or other proj ections from said walls. In Fi5 the throat member is shown as made of sheet metal, and other materialmay be used as desired.

I claim:

As a new article of manufacture, a curb for junction boxes or electricalconduit members of the class described, said curb com rising acylindrical member of sheet metal the materlal whereof is turnedoutwardly at one mouth to form an exterior plaster retaining lip, and iscurved at its inner mouth to form a non-abrasive shoulder, the bodyportion of said member being arranged to enter the mouth of saidjunction box or the like, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ADNAH MOM'URTRIE. Witnesses:

JOHN SNYDER, EDWIN J. CARTER.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in Letters Patent N0. 882,337, granted March 17, 1908, upon the application of AdnahMcMurtrie, of New York, N. Y., for an improvement in Janction-Boxes forElectrical Conduits," was erroneously written and printed Thomas andBette, whereas the said name should have been written and printed Thomasd'a'Betta Company; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of June, A. D., 1908.

[sun] C. C. BILLINGS, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

It will be observed that the throat member is shown as fitting looselwith respect to the cover aperture, and whi e a more snugly fittingthroat member may be used as occasion may demand, preferably provisionwill be made for what amounts to a universal adjustment of the throatmember within the apprture, a feature which is especlally useful w en myimprovements are applied to boxes for switches, as shown in Figs. 3 and4, for even though the box be askew, and not level, the throat member mabe set therein as at 13 in the box 14 in sai fi ures, so as to presentits mouth level and ush with the general surface of the plaster and theswitch 15 in proper angular relation to the vertical.

The throat member may be ribbed, spirally or otherwise, as indicated inFi 5 at 17, the ribs aiding to maintain the member in adjus'ted ositioneither by contact with the walls of the cover aperture, or incooperation with set screws or other proj ections from said walls. In Fi5 the throat member is shown as made of sheet metal, and other materialmay be used as desired.

I claim:

As a new article of manufacture, a curb for junction boxes or electricalconduit members of the class described, said curb com rising acylindrical member of sheet metal the materlal whereof is turnedoutwardly at one mouth to form an exterior plaster retaining lip, and iscurved at its inner mouth to form a non-abrasive shoulder, the bodyportion of said member being arranged to enter the mouth of saidjunction box or the like, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ADNAH MOM'URTRIE. Witnesses:

JOHN SNYDER, EDWIN J. CARTER.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in Letters Patent N0. 882,337, granted March 17, 1908, upon the application of AdnahMcMurtrie, of New York, N. Y., for an improvement in Janction-Boxes forElectrical Conduits," was erroneously written and printed Thomas andBette, whereas the said name should have been written and printed Thomasd'a'Betta Company; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of June, A. D., 1908.

[sun] C. C. BILLINGS, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in Letters Patent N0. 882,337, granted March 17, 1908, upon the application of AdnahMcMurtrie, of New York, N. Y., for an improvement in Junction-Boxes forElectrical Conduits, was erroneously written and printed Thomas andBette, whereas the said name should have been written and printed Thomas'Betta Company; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthis eorreotion therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Oflioe.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of J nne, A. D., 1908.

[sun] C. C. BILLING-S,

. Acting Commissioner of Patents.

